Shares flat ahead of rate decision

THE Australian share market is trading slightly lower as investors await the United States presidential election, an interest rate decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), and the Melbourne Cup horse race.

At 12.00 AEDT on Monday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was off 7.6 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 4,452.5 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index had dipped 9.7 points, or 0.22 per cent, to 4,473.6 points.

On the ASX 24, the December share price index futures contract was four points lower at 4,441 points, with 14,553 contracts traded.

"There's some very key events coming up in the next 48 hours," City Index chief market analyst Peter Esho said.

"Obviously, the RBA moving (making its interest rate decision on Tuesday) but also the outcome of the US (presidential) election.

"I think the market just wants to see that pass through.

"There's also the day of distraction tomorrow (Tuesday) with the Melbourne Cup, so the market's on `pause'."

Among the major banks, Westpac was 15 cents higher at $25.18 after it said net profit for the 12 months to September 30, 2012, came in at $5.97 billion, down 15 per cent from the prior corresponding period, due to the tax implications of its takeover of smaller rival St George.

In the resources sector, global miner BHP Billiton firmed five cents to $34.47, and Rio Tinto added five cents to $57.43.

Among other stocks, ports and rail operator Asciano was six cents weaker at $4.45 after it exercised its right to acquire the other 50 per cent of its C3 joint venture in New Zealand for $NZ70 million ($A56.21 million).

National turnover at 1210 AEDT was 613.3 million securities worth $1.16 billion, with 479 stocks down, 305 up and 307 unchanged.

On Wall Street on Friday, an encouraging October US jobs report initially lifted shares but the gains were lost and the main indices ended lower as caution grew ahead of next Tuesday's presidential election.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 139.46 points, or 1.05 per cent, at 13,093.16 points.